Johnny Roadhouse

Johnny Roadhouse, who died on April 11, aged 88, was known as "Manchester's
Mr Music"; a professional saxophonist and owner of the city's
best-known musical instrument shop, Roadhouse also provided tuition and
advice to generations of would-be musicians.

7:06PM BST 19 Apr 2009

John Roadhouse was born in Sheffield on January 13 1921 and moved to Moss Side, Manchester as a child. He was given an old saxophone by his father, an amateur musician, and was self-taught. During the Second World War he worked as an aircraft fitter at the Metro-Vickers factory in Trafford Park and played with local dance bands in the evenings.

In 1946 Roadhouse joined Teddy Foster's orchestra, a big advance both musically and sartorially. "The first thing Teddy said when he saw me was 'You're not coming in my band with those clothes!'" Two years later Roadhouse became leader of the saxophone section for the BBC Northern Variety Orchestra. In 1953 this was transformed into the Northern Dance Orchestra, and he remained a member until its demise in the 1980s.

"I may be a bit short of technique but I've got by on sound and interpretation," Roadhouse once said, and it was his light, smooth tone which caught the ear of Sir John Barbarolli.

He was always the first to be called when the Hallé Orchestra planned to perform a work, such as Bizet's L'Arlésienne, which includes an alto saxophone. He also went on to play engagements with the Liverpool Philharmonic.

In 1955 Johnny Roadhouse Music (motto: "Hit it, Strum it, Blow it, Play it!") opened its doors in Oxford Road, Manchester, where it has remained ever since, through changing musical fashions and urban redevelopment. Instrument shops have traditionally afforded a rendezvous for local musicians and the entertainment business, and this was no exception. Les Dawson used to meet his agent there. Paul McCartney and members of Oasis, The Smiths and The Stone Roses, have all been customers.

"Every single band in Manchester has gone through Johnny Roadhouse Music at some stage," remarked Mike Joyce, former drummer with The Smiths. "It's impossible not to." Oasis featured pictures of the shop in the video of their single The Masterplan.

Eventually the business sprouted offshoots, such as a team of specialist instrumental teachers and a band agency.

In retirement, Johnny Roadhouse passed the running of the business over to his son, also named John. He continued to play until shortly before his death, latterly with the Ashton-on-Mersey Show Band, which performs to raise money for charity.

In 2005 he was presented with Lifetime Achievement awards by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the Variety Club of Great Britain.

Johnny Roadhouse was married twice and had two sons and two daughters. Following his second marriage, he lived for the last 20 years with his partner, Ann Cowan.